US6207967B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Off the glass imaging rain sensor
Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-04
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Granted: 2001-03-27
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Expires: 2019-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An assembly ( 10 ) for sensing moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of a windshield ( 14 ) from a position spaced from the interior surface ( 18 ) of the windshield ( 14 ). The assembly ( 10 ) includes a focal plane detector ( 12 ) comprising a plurality of pixels ( 24 ) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), as on the backside of the rearview mirror. An imaging lens ( 16 ) is adapted for disposition between the focal plane detector ( 12 ) and the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) for directing light rays from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through the imaging lens ( 16 ) to produce a real image of the moisture ( 20 ) on said focal plane detector ( 12 ). A processing circuit ( 28 ) establishes a steady-state level of analog signals ( 26 ) representing a non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ) and scans the analog signals ( 26 ) and analyzes the data to produce a wiper signal ( 30 ) in response to a deviation from the steady-state level. The processing circuit ( 28 ) also changes the steady-state level in response to permanent changes, e.g., scratches, in the non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ). For use in the absence of daytime light, a light source ( 32 ) is adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) for directing light to the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ) whereby light rays generated by the light source ( 32 ) are directed from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through said imaging lens ( 16 ) to produce the real image of the moisture ( 20 ) on said focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Hochstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0818; B60S1/0822; B60S1/0833; B60S1/0844; G; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/50; G06V20/56; B60S1/0862; B60S1/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for sensing moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of a sheet of glass ( 14 ) comprising the steps of; positioning an imaging lens ( 16 ) in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), focusing light with moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) into a concentrated light image, passing light rays concentrated from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through the imaging lens ( 16 ) and producing a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light from the moisture ( 20 ) on the glass ( 14 ), and directing the real image of concentrated light from the lens ( 16 ) onto a focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for sensing moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of a sheet of glass ( 14 ) comprising the steps of; positioning an imaging lens ( 16 ) in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), focusing light with moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) into a concentrated light image, passing light rays concentrated from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through the imaging lens ( 16 ) and producing a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light from the moisture ( 20 ) on the glass ( 14 ), and directing the real image of concentrated light from the lens ( 16 ) onto a focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including dividing the real image into a plurality of elements and producing an analog signal ( 26 ) corresponding to each of the elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 including establishing a steady-state level of the analog signals ( 26 ) representing a non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ), scanning the analog signals ( 26 ) digitally processing the data ( 28 ) and producing a wiper signal ( 30 ) in response to a deviation from the steady-state level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 including changing the steady-state level in response to permanent changes in the non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 including positioning a light source ( 32 ) in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), directing light from the source to the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ), and wherein the step of passing of light rays is further defined as passing light rays generated by the light source ( 32 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of passing of light rays is further defined as passing light rays generated by ambient light in response to ambient light being above a predetermined level and passing light rays generated by the light source ( 32 ) in response to ambient light being below the predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the step of producing a real image of the moisture ( 20 ) is further defined as varying the magnification of the real image from one element to another element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as positioning the lens ( 16 ) at an acute angle relative to the sheet of glass ( 14 ) and positioning the focal plane detector ( 12 ) at acute angle relative to both of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) and the lens ( 16 ) whereby the image tends to remain in focus throughout the object field at the focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of dividing the real image into a plurality of elements is further defined as positioning a pixel to define each element whereby each pixel produces an analog signal ( 26 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 including scanning the analog signals ( 26 ) produced by the pixels ( 24 ) digitally processing the data ( 28 ) and producing a wiper signal ( 30 ) in response to a predetermined change in the analog signals ( 26 ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
An assembly for sensing moisture ( 20 ) on a glass ( 14 ) surface from a position spaced from the glass ( 14 ), said assembly comprising; a focal plane detector ( 12 ) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), and an imaging lens ( 16 ) adapted for disposition between said focal plane detector ( 12 ) and the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) for directing light rays focused into concentrated light from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through said imaging lens ( 16 ) to produce a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light the moisture ( 20 ) on said focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
An assembly for sensing moisture ( 20 ) on a glass ( 14 ) surface from a position spaced from the glass ( 14 ), said assembly comprising; a focal plane detector ( 12 ) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ), and an imaging lens ( 16 ) adapted for disposition between said focal plane detector ( 12 ) and the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) for directing light rays focused into concentrated light from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through said imaging lens ( 16 ) to produce a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light the moisture ( 20 ) on said focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said focal plane detector ( 12 ) comprises a plurality of pixels ( 24 ) for dividing the real image into a plurality of elements and for producing an analog signal ( 26 ) corresponding to each of the elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 including a digital processing circuit ( 28 ) for establishing a steady-state level of the analog signals ( 26 ) representing a non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ) and for scanning the analog signals ( 26 ) to produce a wiper signal ( 30 ) in response to a deviation from the steady-state level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 including a digital processing circuit ( 28 ) for establishing a steady-state level of the analog signals ( 26 ) representing a non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ) and for scanning the analog signals ( 26 ) to produce a wiper signal ( 30 ) in response to a deviation from the steady-state level and for changing the steady-state level in response to permanent changes in the non-moisture ( 20 ) condition of the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 including a light source ( 32 ) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface ( 18 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) for directing light to the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the glass ( 14 ) whereby light rays generated by the light source ( 32 ) are directed from moisture ( 20 ) on the exterior surface ( 22 ) of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) through said imaging lens ( 16 ) to produce the real image of the moisture ( 20 ) on said focal plane detector ( 12 ).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 15 including an ambient light sensor ( 34 ) for sensing a predetermined level of ambient light for illuminating said light source ( 32 ) in response to said ambient light being below said predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said light comprises light emitting diodes and including a pulse circuit ( 36 ) for pulsing said light emitting diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said lens ( 16 ) is disposed relative to said focal plane detector ( 12 ) for varying the magnification of the real image from one pixel to another pixel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said lens ( 16 ) is positioned at an acute angle relative to said focal plane detector ( 12 ) whereby said lens ( 16 ) may be positioned at acute angle relative to both of the sheet of glass ( 14 ) and said lens ( 16 ) to correct the image toward remaining in focus throughout the object field at the focal plane detector ( 12 ).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |